Welcome to Brandy's Bustlings and B(e) Kind 366. I'm B (short for Brandy) and in 2016 I'm performing an act of kindness (random or not) every day of this year. I'm also taking on monthly challenges and offering monthly incentives to the lovely people who donate to my project. I'm raising funds for three organizations that have touched my life: World University Service of Canada, The Women's Resource Centre, and the Canadian Cancer Society. I hope you'll join me in your own unique way!

Friday, May 24, 2013

Celebrate The Small Things - May 24

This week has been a bit rough on me physically, mentally, emotionally, you name it and if it was mine, it went through the ringer this week. I developed a cold last weekend that started in my throat and has since moved to my sinuses. I've been dragging my butt from work to home and back all week. The leave of absence I requested from work so that I could count on being employed after spending the next two years as a broke graduate student, was declined. Now, I'm sure to be Brandy Robertson, MA and working at Starbucks. It's not only the lack of a secure job that this rejection causes, it is also going to make it quite difficult for me to get the student line-of-credit that I need if I am going to eat something other than Mr. Noodle for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next two years. On top of that, I received two scholarship rejection letters as well, another potential $10,000 down the toilet.

You know when you're just so high on life (like I was last week) that it seems like nothing can knock you down and then a bulldozer blazes in followed by a wrecking ball and your world comes crumbling down? Ya, it was a rough week.

So today, I am celebrating the strength to accept the things that I cannot strange, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I can't change any of these things, but life is still pretty darn great! I graduate next Friday (guess what I'll be posting about?) after seven long years of working part time towards my Honours BA. As I walk across the stage they'll say, "Brandy Robertson, With Great Distinction, and the recipient of the Silver Medal in English." I'll undoubtedly have to shake the hand of the person that denied my leave of absence request and accept the mandatory words of congratulations that she has to give me. Heck, maybe I'll even say, "Thank you." All I know for sure is that I will hold my head high, find my Mom and Baba in the crowd, smile as the tears of joy run down my Mom's face, try to keep my own tears at bay, and think to myself, "YOU DID IT!"

I love that saying, and yes, it works when you keep on saying it. So sorry you've had a rough week, but am really looking forward to celebrating your graduation with you! Woohoo! And all that pomp and circumstance! :)

It can be so tough when the bubble bursts, but you my dear have many many moons of big hardy bubbles ahead of you! (ANd I dont mean boobs ya swearing junkie). You will go far my friend. I cant wait to see the graduation! WEEEEEEEEEHA!

Life throws struggles at us to see if we can cope with them. It is tough, but if you can realise that it won't last forever then you're on the right path. I graduated with my MA in 2007, and I've only just got a job that I love! Good things do happen, even if you have to wait a while.

It's so hard not to wallow in those wrecking ball days! Thanks for this post, as I've been trying not to wallow in a minor negative thing that occurred, one that's so ordinary and expected at times but still affects me - a negative review! Things were looking so high, then that. :)

You tell yourself to expect rejection, but it still tips you over for a while when you get it.

Well, thanks for this post. It's what I needed to hear. I do keep on celebrating the many blessings coming my way, and I hope you keep celebrating yours. Writer’s Mark

Yes, I can see how a negative review could send you into an emotional downward spiral. I've never published anything, but I do know what it feels like to get negative crit on a piece of writing for class. I'm glad this post could offer you some solace and I bet you have way more positive than negative reviews over all!

Try to give thanks for all the negatives as they appear and ask yourself "what can I learn from this"? You're already getting the lesson! You were denied what you wanted, but contemplating handling it with grace by saying Thank You...that is a *huge* lesson to learn about dealing with life's disappointments. It's never about the other person, it's always about you and your own growth. When we learn that, life becomes more simple for us to understand.

Congratulations on your MA. You have achieved far more than the majority of people and I agree with Kirsten - people can strip you of everything you have but they'll never be able to take your knowledge...

Often, out of the greatest disappointment comes the greatest joy.

I'm popping over to your Botswana post. I live in South Africa and Botswana is our neighbour. My sister and her family lived in a tiny town called Selebi Phikwe for 20 years and the holidays we spent with them were magical.